The wording here is identical to that given in the Doctrine and Covenants 20:77. The prayer reflects an “if/then” agreement with the Lord: If we always remember Him, take His name upon us, and keep His commandments, then we will always have His Spirit to be with us. The sacramental prayers remind us of our covenants. The bread is sanctified for us that we may witness that we are willing to take the name of Jesus Christ upon us and always remember Him and keep His commandments. In doing this, we can always have His Spirit to be with us. This great promise and covenant will bless us every moment of our lives. President Gordon B. Hinckley provides the following review of the blessings of partaking of the sacrament:
Sacrament meeting ought to be a time of spiritual refreshment for our people, when, on Sunday, they gather to partake of the sacrament and renew their covenants with the Lord. They should rethink the contract which exists between them and the Lord under which we take upon ourselves His name and agree to keep His commandments and He, in turn, promises that His Spirit will be with us. If we could bring about the consummation of that covenant in the lives of our people with a renewal each week, what a marvelous thing it would be. Let us encourage a spirit of reverence in sacrament meeting and as bishops and counselors in bishoprics, responsible for what goes on, let us see that all that is done is in harmony with the purpose of that meeting. It should be a time when together we meet to renew our faith, our covenants, our obligations, our loyalty, our love, our willingness to take upon ourselves the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and keep His commandments” (Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1997], 565)
The sacramental ordinance is the most frequently experienced ordinance in the Church. We should prepare ourselves to make of it a refreshing time of spiritual renewal and rejuvenation—not something to be taken for granted. Elder David B. Haight emphasizes this point in speaking of the promise and power of this sacred ordinance:
The weekly opportunity of partaking of the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper is one of the most sacred ordinances of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and is further indication of His love for all of us. Associated with the partaking of the sacrament are principles that are fundamental to man’s advancement and exaltation in the kingdom of God and the shaping of one’s spiritual character. We should reflect in our own weekday conduct the spiritual renewal and commitments made on Sunday. We may fail to recognize the deep spiritual significance this ordinance offers to each of us personally. Is it possible that a casual attitude on our part of routine formality of this sacred occasion might deaden our opportunity for spiritual growth? (“The Sacrament,” Ensign, May 1983, 12–14)
The sacrament ordinance is connected specifically to the ordinance of baptism and serves as a renewal of that covenant. Elder Bruce R. McConkie makes this point clear:
From Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:24–30), from the Nephites’ account of the introduction of the sacrament among them (3 Nephi 18), and from the sacramental prayers as revealed both to the Nephites and to us (Moro. 4 and 5; D&C 20:75–79), it is clear that when we partake worthily of the sacramental ordinance we renew the covenant made in the waters of baptism. Once again we covenant to remember and rely upon the atoning sacrifice of Christ, to take his name upon us, and to keep his commandments. He in turn promises us that we shall always have his Spirit to be with us and that we shall have eternal life in his Father’s kingdom. (The Promised Messiah: The First Coming of Christ [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1978], 385)